Peters



, (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. J. SGHUMAN.

COTTON CHOPPER,

No. 389,942. Patented Sept. 25, 1888.

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(No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. J. SOHUMAN.

COTTON CHOPPER.

Patented Sept.-25, 1 888 N PETERS. Fhom-Lnha n hu rigidly securedthereto.

' UNITED STATES- PATENT Orrics.

EDWARD J. SOHUMAN, OF FRISCO, COLORADO.

COTTON-CHOPPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 389,942, datedSeptember 25, 1888.

Application filed October 4,1887. Serial No. 251,446.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD J. SOHUMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Frisco, 1n the county of Summit and State of Colorado, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton-Choppers; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to cotton-choppers; and it consists in the partswhich will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of myinvention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view. Fig. 3is a side elevat on of thecotton-choppers, the spokes to which they are secured, and the innercollar and shaft; and Fig. 4 is a detail of one of the double joints orhinges of the main frame.

Like letters indicate like parts in the several views.

The letter A represents the main axle provided with wheels B B, rigidlysecured thereto.

C indicates a three-sided rectangular framework provided near its endswith boxes 0, by means of which said frame is secured to the axle A. Theaxle is freely movable in said boxes.

The axle A is provided with a laterallymovable wheel, D. Said wheel iscircuml'erentially concavo-convexed. The convexed side thereof isprovided with cogs D. Said wheel is also provided with a hub, D. Saidhubis provided with a circumferential groove, (1. A spline or feather,d, is seated in and secured to the axle A. Said spline engages atransverse recess, (1, on the inner side of the hub of the wheel D.

The letter E represents a lever rigidly secured at one end to a shaft,E. Said shaft is provided on its inner end with a fork, F, The lines ofsaid fork F lie within the groove d of the hub D. Said shaft is securedto the front frame-piece, O, by means of boxes 6 e, and it islongitudinally movable in said boxes.

A represents a collar fixed on the shaft A. A spiral spring, a,encircles the shaft A. The

(No model.)

ends of said spring lie and press, respectively, against the collar Aand the hub D*.

G represents the two parallel side bars of the rear frame, and G therear transverse cross-piece uniting said bars.

G indicates a cross-bar in advance of the cross-bar G, uniting the sidebars, G.

H represents a shaft provided with collars h h. Said shaft is mounted inboxes Hon the cross-bars G G and it is provided with a sleeve, 1,secured thereto. 1 represents a series of spokes whose inner ends arefixed to the sleeve I. These spokes are arranged in sets, twoconstituting a set. The outer ends of each set are provided with achopper, K. One spoke in each set is placed in advance of its companionspoke. The spokes are bent and provided with openings for the receptionof bolts. The bolts Kengage the chopper to outer the ends of the spokes.Each chopper is arranged obliquely to the axis of the shaft H, so as tofacilitate the chopping. The forward end of the shaft H is provided witha con vexed cog-wheel, J, rigidly secured thereto. The forwardcross-bar, G", is provided with two plows, L L, which are laterally andvertically adjustable. Each plow is provided with two parallelright-angled standards, I Z. The bar G lies between each set ofstandards. That portion of the standards which lies against the bar G isprovided with a series of openings, at m.

M represents a threaded bolt and nut, by means of which the plows andtheir standards are adjust-ably secured to the bar G Said bar isprovided with a series of openings, 9, for the reception of the bolt M.By means of the openings at in the standards, the openings g in the bar,and the bolt M said standards and attached plows may be eithervertically or laterally adjustable on the bar G". The rear plows, P,their standards P, bolts P and openings P in the rear crossbar, G, aresubstantially identical with the plows, standards, bolts, and openingsdescribed in connection with the forward crossbar, G. The function ofthe forward set of plows is to bar off, while those in the rear are todirt the plant.

The forward end of each frame-piece G is provided with a strap-boxing,Q, which engages the axle A, and in which said axle may turn freely. Theboxing Q, is united by means of bolts (9,. The rear end of each boxtcrmi nates in two arms, ,7, each of which is provided with an openingfor the reception of a bolt, Q. The forward end ofeach frame-piece G isprovided with a top and bottom bar, R, which extends forward in advanceof said frame piece. Said bars are provided with openings for thereception of the bolt Qj". Said bolt is provided with a sleeve, R,interposed between the bars 1% 11, so as to prevent said bars from beingbent or forced together. By means of the double joint, as shown in Fig.4, the rear part of the machine may be raised or lowered and movedsidewise in the arc of a circle.

The letter S represents fonr pivotal bolts, one on each end of the cross-bars G G". By means of these bolts the side frame-pieces are jointedlyattached to the cross-pieces, and they thus provide a flexible frame andpermit a lateral movement of the rear of the machine.

T represents tw'o handles having their inner ends rigidly secured to therear fran'ie-pieces, G, and T standard-braces uniting said handles andframe pieces. The handles are united by a horizontal cross-piece, T.

The letter U represents two arms secured to and extending rearwardlyfrom the rear crosspiece, G.

U represents a rock-shaft having its outer endsjournaled in openings inthe outer ends of the arms U. On one end of the shaft U is secured ashort arm, U The other end of said shaft is provided with a lever, V,rigidly secured thereto.

W represents an elevated frame work mount-ed upon and secured to theforward part of the frame.

\V indicates a horizontal rotary shaft having its ends journaled in theupper ends, respectively of the frame-pieces XV. Said shaft is providedwith two grooved pulleys, \V".

X X represent two ropes. These ropes respectively are passed over thepulleys W. One end of the rope X. is secured to a staple, X", on theoutside of one of the side bars, (l. The other end of said rope X issecured to the outer end of the arm One end of the rope DC is secured tothe side of the frame G, the

other end of said rope being engaged at V to the lever V.

The operation of the invention isasfollows: W'hen the machine is movedforward, the main wheels B and axle A are rotated. The movement rotatesthe cogs D and J, the shaft H,

spokes I, and choppers 1K. The spring a normally holds the cogwhcel D ingear with the cog J. These cogs are thrown out of gear by means of thelever E, shaft E, and fork F. Said lever, shaft, and fork are laterallymovable, said fork being engaged in a recess or circumferential grooveformed in the hub D. When the cogs D J are thrown ontof gear, the shaftH and choppers K lie idle. \Vhile thus idle the rear part of the machinemay be elevated by moving the lever V rearward. This movement actuatcsboth ropes X X, causing the upper side of each rope to move rearward andthe under side of each to move forward. This movement ofthe ropes,attached as shown, elevates the rear part of the machine. The movementsof the several parts during this operation are indicated by the arrows.The adjustable and swinging features of the rear part of the deviceenables the operator to chop out cotton whether in a straight or crookedline, and the adjustable features of the plows permit them to be workedat any required depth or width apart, or they may be removed and changedat pleasure.

l'Iaving thnsdescribcd my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent-- 1. The combination, with the main shaft and wheelsof the front and rear frame-sections hinged thereto, of grooved pulleysmounted above the frame of the machine, a rock-shaft mou ntcd at therear of the machine, one end of said shaft being provided with alever,the other with a short arm rigidly secured thereto, and two ropes eachpassing around one of the pulleys aforesaid, one end of the rope on oneside being seen red to the lever between its fulcrum and handle, theother end of said rope being secured to the side of the machine, theother rope having its respective ends engaged to the outer end of theshort arm aforesaid and the side of the machine, substantially asdescribed, and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination, with the main frame 0, the main shaft A and itswheels, and the jonrnatboxes Q, having arms Q", of the rear flexibleframe, G, carrying the chopper-shaft and provided with front and rearplows adjnstable thereon, and means for raising and supporting saidflexible frame upon the main frame, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EIHVARI) J. SGHU MAN.

\Vitnesses:

A1115. Pniuunonn'u, E. E. BUokNnn.

